NationStates Jolt Archive


Which President do you think had the best character?

Roach-Busters
31-07-2004, 03:16
Okay, we've discussed, debated, ranted, flamed, blamed, flaunted, taunted, argued, and agreed over how good or bad Presidents and their policies are. Policies aside, which President do you think had the best character?

I'd say, maybe...Theodore Roosevelt.
Third Anacreon
31-07-2004, 03:24
Old Teddy? Yeah...one tough SOB. Lincoln I believe, had a remarkable character.
Truitt
31-07-2004, 03:27
Well, I might have to say Einstien....but then agian, he was a President that everyone knew....
Thunderland
31-07-2004, 03:33
Ooh, good question. I would almost agree with Lincoln except that his deal with the Emancipation Proclamation was a bit shady. I understand why he didn't want to free the border states' slaves but even the rationale behind the decision sort of made the whole proclamation a bit murky. Of course, considering his ultimate goal was the unity of the nation, then I am being a little harsh in faulting him on this. Bottom line, Lincoln had considerable character.

I think I'd go with Truman. May not have been the best president in the world but you knew what you got with him. He stood up for what he believed in.
Galliam
31-07-2004, 03:41
FDR Definately. Pulled us out of the depression quite efficiantly.
Truitt
31-07-2004, 03:47
FDR Definately. Pulled us out of the depression quite efficiantly.

Bleep Einstien, I secound that.
Five Civilized Nations
31-07-2004, 03:47
I'd say Taft... :p The only president to ever get stuck in a bathtub...
Thunderland
31-07-2004, 03:54
Am I the only one wondering when Einstein was president?
Druthulhu
31-07-2004, 03:58
Gerald Ford. He rolled up a half-elven Ranger in my game once, and I must say that he played it with a depth and poigniancy that I have never seen before or since.
Druthulhu
31-07-2004, 04:00
Am I the only one wondering when Einstein was president?

Yes. You are :D
Roach-Busters
31-07-2004, 04:16
Am I the only one wondering when Einstein was president?

No.
Komokom
31-07-2004, 05:13
" Which President do you think had the best character? "

* Thinks ...

Well, Morgan Freeman played a pretty good President in Deep Impact ... :D
New Spifftopia
31-07-2004, 05:26
Excuse me, everyone knows the president with the best character was Bill Pullman in Independence Day. Like, d00d.

^_^

EINSTEIN? That's ironic in so many ways.
Roach-Busters
31-07-2004, 05:28
I meant REAL Presidents.
Sdaeriji
31-07-2004, 05:56
Gerald Ford. He rolled up a half-elven Ranger in my game once, and I must say that he played it with a depth and poigniancy that I have never seen before or since.

I hope I'm not the only one who appreciated this.
Incertonia
31-07-2004, 09:00
In recent years, I'd go with Jimmy Carter. He was a decent and honest man in the White House and has proven that every day since he left. Unfortunately, he wasn't the best President, although a lot of his problems were made for him, like the OPEC oil crunch that had oil prices--in today's dollars--about twice what they are today. That was as large a reason for the economic malaise during his administration as anything else. Once the Saudis started pumping oil again, it looked like Reagan had pulled a miracle out of his ass--cutting the price of oil by 3/4 will do wonders for any economy.
Kokusbitus
31-07-2004, 12:49
I think JFK was the President with the greatest character. He helped Martin Luther King Jr, stopped Cuba from bombing the crap out of the US and put diplomatic pressure on Papa Doc. I liked him
Jello Biafra
31-07-2004, 12:54
I'd have to say Lincoln, though admittedly I don't know much about him.
Cockcephus
31-07-2004, 14:28
James K. Polk had more character than our other presidents. In terms of his campaign promises he accomplished everything he said he would, and did it in four years making a run at a second term unnecessary. He stablized our borders with Mexico, and the British Canadian territories of the west, handled the slavery issue with aplomb by allowing Congress the leeway to legislate effectively and he annexed Texas then went home to a well deserved albeit brief retirement. (btw. he died less than a year after leaving office).
Druthulhu
31-07-2004, 15:03
Lincoln: "Oh man... I've got a headache that could split rails..."

Aide: "Mr. President? Have you seen this morning's paper sir?"

Lincoln: "Not now... ohh.... where's that Jack Daniels?"

Aide: "Mr. President, I think you should read this..."

Lincoln: "Alright, alright..."

*rustling of paper*

Lincoln: "I freed the WHAT???"



- from "Lincoln: the Morning After"
the Firesign Theater
Siljhouettes
31-07-2004, 16:00
Am I the only one wondering when Einstein was president?
Albert Einstein was offered the presidency of Israel in 1952. He declined, saying that "politics is just for the present, but equations are for all time." Maybe with a pacifist like him in charge, Israel would have gone easier on the Palestinians.
Microevil
31-07-2004, 16:10
FDR was the man.
Snaggletooth
31-07-2004, 16:12
I think JFK was the President with the greatest character. He helped Martin Luther King Jr, stopped Cuba from bombing the crap out of the US and put diplomatic pressure on Papa Doc. I liked him

Best character? The man constantly cheated on his wife
Cuneo Island
31-07-2004, 16:13
Clinton. 3,2,1 Flame!!!!
Snaggletooth
31-07-2004, 16:13
FDR was the man.


Commie New Dealer

WWII got us out of the depression, not him. He just left us with taxes and useless social programs.
Microevil
31-07-2004, 16:16
Commie New Dealer

WWII got us out of the depression, not him. He just left us with taxes and useless social programs.

Hrmn so much criticism, but you haven't said who you like. Until you pick one, don't insult other people's choices.
HadesRulesMuch
31-07-2004, 16:16
Definitely Roosevelt. He had no subtlety, and I admire that in a man. His use of "the big stick" was a little cruel to the latin american countries, but at least he didn't hide behind a web of deceit, like pretty much every president has (democrat or republican).
Snaggletooth
31-07-2004, 16:18
Albert Einstein was offered the presidency of Israel in 1952. He declined, saying that "politics is just for the present, but equations are for all time." Maybe with a pacifist like him in charge, Israel would have gone easier on the Palestinians.

Let's forget about Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, ad Syria attacking them in 1948...
Snaggletooth
31-07-2004, 16:20
Hrmn so much criticism, but you haven't said who you like. Until you pick one, don't insult other people's choices.

But that's easier...I'm thinking...

I'd say Jefferson - but he did have slaves, and there's the whole bastard son debate...

On the other hand, he did free them, and the accusations have not been proven...

At least no one has said US Grant
Snaggletooth
31-07-2004, 16:22
Definitely Roosevelt. He had no subtlety, and I admire that in a man. His use of "the big stick" was a little cruel to the latin american countries, but at least he didn't hide behind a web of deceit, like pretty much every president has (democrat or republican).


Yeah, Teddy is a good one...

Could you imagine the outrage over his actions were he in power today?
United Seekers
31-07-2004, 16:23
by Kokusbitus

I think JFK was the President with the greatest character.



Maybe him as President and looking at his military service JFK was good, but as a husband and man, he was terrible. A philanderer, affairs, the whole Kennedy male gene was to bed as many women as possible, and they were and are the most conceited "American Royalty" I have ever known.
Farflung
31-07-2004, 16:26
Well for character ?
Andrew jackson
United Seekers
31-07-2004, 16:27
I'd have to go with Ronald Reagan. He was a Pro Life advocate and helped with ending the Cold War ("Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!")

I miss his sense of humor with regard to the media. The media now is so vicious and evil to me. He'd straighten them up.
BastardSword
31-07-2004, 16:31
Clinton: he got rid national Debt, he made people feel safe (Bush kinda makes you feel scared), he was a ladies man (gotta give him props), and he was very charismatic speaker.
He had a issue with the staying tru ee to his wife but you have to feel sorry how the Republicans tried to find something on him wasting tax people's money.
He gets 2nd best

Reagon: He'd be like fourth, because he thinks those with aids don't deserve to live(he said that my mom still remembers when he did once, well i paraphrased Reagon but you get the gist)
He cut taxes and the raised them (I'll give him credit for wising up). Though isn't that flip flopping? lol

Swarzendager: He was president in Demolition man movie. Except for getting rid of meat, and making tacoi bell best restruant... he hada good name :) He's third best.
Best President: Washington, because he did the most for our struggle country.